Olivier Blanchard is one of the most distinguished and influential macroeconomists of his generation. His research, both applied and theoretical, has greatly improved our understanding of business cycles, unemployment, monetary policy and fiscal policy. He has been a mentor to generations of young researchers at MIT. At the IMF, Blanchard helped the world economy navigate the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis, and he has been a voice of balance and reason in the most difficult policy debates. This chapter is a guide to his fascinating life and intellectual journey.